Andy Goode will make his first England appearance in more than two years after being handed a surprise recall to Martin Johnson's team to face Italy in their opening Six Nations match on Saturday. The 28-year-old Goode will start at fly-half after the England team manager demoted Danny Cipriani to the Saxons, while Toby Flood has been struggling with a calf injury.

Johnson has also handed London Irish flanker Steffon Armitage his international debut, alongside his brother Delon, making them the first brothers to play in the same England team since the Underwoods, Rory and Tony, played together in 1995.

But it is the selection of Goode that steals the headlines and raises the eyebrows, as he has not played for England in over two years. Since moving to France to play for Brive, Goode has hit a fine run of form, and is the leading scorer in the Top 14 with 160 points in 16 games. Johnson has not been to see Goode play for Brive, but has watched him on video, and liked what he saw. Goode has also performed well with the England team in training in Portugal. With Flood suffering a slight calf injury last week, and Danny Cipriani deemed worthy only of a place in the England Saxons on current form, Goode has a surprise opportunity to restart his international career.

"Andy was in the Saxons group last July, so he has been in our thoughts for a long time," Johnson said. "He's a different guy to the individual I played with even in my last few years. He's more mature as a player and a person, and perhaps a little bit more appreciative of what he has got. He will have a good appreciation of what it is we are trying to do, he's a steadying influence.

"Danny [Cipriani] is very much part of our plans for the Six Nations. We just wanted to see him get some more game-time. For where he is now, we felt the Saxons were the best place for him. Obviously he was disappointed by that, but no one has a divine right to be in this team." Johnson continued: "In no way has he been discarded. He's only 21, and most guys haven't even started their international careers at that age. We'd like to see Danny control the game, to show some leadership at No10 whatever we are trying to do. Just as we would with any other fly-half."

In theory this England team blends form and experience. In comparison to the sides that fared so poorly in the autumn internationals, the emphasis is on the second of those two qualities, especially in the backline. Mike Tindall, who returns to midfield, has 54 England caps, and while Goode and Mark Cueto, back on the wing for the first time since the 2007 World Cup final, have just 33 between them both are still veterans compared to some of the players alongside them.

"The side has more balance now," said Johnson. "In the autumn we were too easy to beat, they were a very inexperienced group and they had a tough time of it. Now we've got some older guys in there too, and they will bring more stability and leadership. You can feel that in the group in training. We're going to face difficult situations in every game we play, and it is about how we come through them. These guys should help us with that."

Still Johnson was quick to add the caveat that it is the current form of the more experienced players that has brought them back into the fold, rather than reputation or past deeds.

"Ideally Danny will have a cracking game on Friday with the Saxons, Toby will get fit and Andy will play well on Saturday." Johnson was dismissive of the idea that Goode may be just keeping the No10 spot warm for one of his younger team-mates, "For now Andy is out starting No10, and if he plays well he has got the opportunity to secure his place in the side, just like anyone else."

Johnson is always quietly spoken, but still seemed to be just a touch short of his typical self-conviction. His crucial convictions remain the same though, not least the idea that playing for England "is not about egos and style, it's about substance and winning". Goode's selection certainly backs up the 'substance' part of that philosophy, but what he will do for the 'winning' side of the equation will be seen on Saturday.

Meanwhile Leicester's scrum-half Harry Ellis was this afternoon recalled into the senior England squad as injury cover for Danny Care, who rolled his ankle in training.

Care will be assessed over the next 48 hours before any final decision on his availability to face Italy is confirmed.

Ellis, who only recently returned from a six-week suspension, was edged out of the original 22-man squad by Foden, who can play both scrum-half and full-back.